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The Japanese Government Overturns Dance Ban

Let the Japanese people bump’ n’ grind!

Japan is known as a mecca for b-boys, b-girls, and neon lights, but few people are aware that Japan’s nightlife has been suffering. Fueiho law, which was originally enacted in 1948 to respond to drugs and prostitution in post-WWII Japan, has been crippling the Japanese nightclub scene. The law enforces a no-dancing rule in clubs smaller than the 66 m2 size requirement, greatly reducing the number of popular venues.

It’s obvious that 1948 Japanese lawmakers had little foresight of the consequences of their legislation, though the law was hardly enforced until a 2010 incident involving a student’s death in an Osaka club. Only after the incident did police actively enforce the law.

The Japan Times reports that Tsukasa Akimoto, Committee Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party, believes the law is outdated and that Japanese lawmakers must make a change by the end of 2014. With the 2020 Olympics on the horizon, the Japanese government plans to loosen its famously stringent policies.

40% of Japan’s population will be above the age of 65 in 2050, so for the sake of the people and the country’s future, letting them bump’ n’ grind is in everyone’s best interest.

For a deeper look at Japan’s nightclub scene, check the player above for Resident Advisor’s documentary “Real Scenes: Tokyo.”

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this articles makes it seem like there are no clubs and night life in japan. but on the contrary you wouldn’t have known there was such a “law” in japan if you’ve been there. every night is poppin, parties everywhere and clubs all over the place. do ya’ll not see the amount of DJs and music acts thats been booked in Japan since the contact with the western world?